This Thursday, November 21st, the Surrey Board of Trade, as part of their agricultural advocacy, will present the 4th Surrey Agriculture Leadership Award. The award is presented to Surrey-based business/organization that has made a positive impact to Surrey’s agricultural industry.
“The South Fraser Economic Region is a powerful economic engine in British Columbia,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “We stand at a critical juncture to make the right decisions and investments to create economic opportunities for a generation and beyond. And our Agriculture industry is at the foundation of those investments and innovations.”
The winner will be presented with the award at the 4th Annual Surrey Agriculture Industry Reception with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Wes Shoemaker, as Keynote Speaker, and with City of Surrey Councillor Jack Hundial, speaking on City of Surrey Agriculture Industry priorities.
Date: Thursday, November 21, 2019
Location: Surrey Arts Centre (13750 – 88 Avenue, Surrey, BC)
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Admission: Free!
This year’s finalists are:
1. A. Rocha Canada
A Rocha is a registered charity whose mission is to transform people and places into healthy communities through three core programs: sustainable community agriculture, conservation science (research and restoration of watersheds), and environmental education for all ages. A. Rocha continuously supports Surrey farmers and communities through its sustainable agriculture projects such Farm to Families, Community Shared Agriculture and Community Garden Network. Over the course of its 16 years in Surrey, A Rocha’s centre has proven its capacity to continually update its services in order to better serve the community’s environmental needs, while also being a warm place of welcome and experiential education. The farm is integral to this work and will continue to be a leader in Surrey to the rest of Metro Vancouver.
2. Rondriso Farm
The Rondriso Farm has been around for 61 years. It was in 1958 when the the Tamis family began farming in Surrey. In 2001, Ron took over the beef and hay operation from his parents. In 2005, Ron and Pam started their first pumpkin patch. All of their produce is sold at the farmer’s markets in Surrey, Trout Lake, Kerisdale, Vancouver’s Winter Market, Cloverdale, and Clayton. Their pumpkin patch has also become an educational tour site for schools and institutes. The farm’s sustainability revolves around diversity. They practice crop rotation and produce their own compost. They graze farms, thus, creating greenspace for the community. Over the years, Rondriso Farm has become one of the most locally known farms in Surrey. They are recognized for agro-tourism, sustainable practices, and fresh produce.
3. Tesfa Farms Water Buffalo
Owners Brad and Christy Bennik were searching for high quality and honest food that would not only feed their growing family, but would also sustain agriculture for future generation. In 2012, they operated Tesfa Farms with 10 water buffalos. Today, they farm goats, poultry and a herd of 100 water buffalos in the Fraser Valley. They operate out of an old dairy farm and leased properties that would otherwise not be in use and have no agricultural production. Their products, buffalo whole milk and probiotic buffalo yoghurt, are the first of its kind in Western Canada. Their raw milk is used by Prabu Foods Indian Sweets and Mount Lehman Cheese Co. Tesfa farm was born out of the Benniks’ passion to provide honest food, and at the same time to support families that are in need.
Supporting Sponsors:
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and Fraser Grain Terminal
Award Sponsor: Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Media Sponsors: 107.7 Pulse FM and The Surrey NOW-Leader
For further information, please contact Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade, at anita@businessinsurrey.com or at 604.634.0342.
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